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Prosthodontics Resources

Prosthodontics Graduate Programs

The Department of Prosthodontics provides undergraduate and graduate instruction, patient care, and conducts research covering the many disciplines making up the broad specialty of prosthodontics. These disciplines include: fixed prosthodontics, removable prosthodontics, implant prosthodontics, maxillofacial prosthetics, and occlusion. The department has an affiliation with the Department of Hospital Dentistry at the University of Iowa Hospitals.

Advanced Training Program

The department offers a three-year (36 months) post-doctoral program in prosthodontics leading to a certificate in prosthodontics and a master of science degree. The program is fully accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. Upon completion of all requirements, each resident is educationally qualified for examination and certification by the American Board of Prosthodontics.

The Master of Science degree, obtained through the Graduate College of The University of Iowa, requires the completion of an original research project, preparation and defense of a thesis and a comprehensive examination covering the specialty of prosthodontics. Courses of study leading to a Ph.D. are also available through basic science departments or through interdisciplinary affiliations.

Individuals pursuing a Ph.D. and an advanced training certificate should plan on a minimum of six to seven years to complete both programs.

Program Strengths

The graduate and advanced training programs are designed to prepare dentists for the practice of prosthodontics, with a strong background in dental research. The programs may be modified to fulfill individual interests, goals and desires while still meeting requirements for the certificate and M.S. or Ph.D. degrees. We believe that the major strength of our prosthodontic programs is the variety and depth of patient treatment experiences available to our students. Our residents are provided with progressive clinical, laboratory, and didactic training in fixed, removable, maxillofacial, and implant prosthodontics. Prosthodontic graduate students spend portions of their clinical time at the College of Dentistry and the University Hospitals and Clinics. Through these two clinical facilities the student will treat a variety of complex prosthodontic patients in addition to experience with medically compromised patients, geriatric patients and patients requiring maxillofacial rehabilitation. The interrelation of other medical/dental clinical specialties is also emphasized. The University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry has a state of the art facility with newly renovated clinics devoted to prosthodontics. Each resident is assigned his/her own clinical operatory, study area, and laboratory bench. The department has its own implant surgical suite for placing implants within our clinic and state-of-the-art digital technology facility. The clinic facility utilizes electronic patient records, digital radiographic imaging and volumetric imaging (CBCT) as well as digital radiography. Residents are also involved as graduate teaching assistants, mostly at the pre-doctoral level. Additional strengths include the faculty, research facilities, and technical support readily available within the department and through the College of Dentistry and the University.

Application

Applications for the program are only accepted through PASS and only application materials completed by August 15 of each year will be considered. Mandatory interviews of selected applicants are conducted during late August.

PASS application materials and instructions may be obtained by contacting:

The minimum requirements for admission into the program correspond to the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate College of The University of Iowa. In addition, the student must hold a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree, or its foreign equivalent. Applicants should possess a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

In addition, for students whose first language is not English, a minimum score of 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, or 100 internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required by the Department for admission. The exam score must be less than two (2) years old. Please follow the PASS instructions for submission of scores to PASS. Candidates may also be requested to take the Test of Spoken English. These requirements are not absolute but will receive considerable weighing when applications are considered. A personal interview for the most qualified applicants is required and is given by invitation only. Final decision on the acceptance of any applicant meeting the requirements for admission will rest with the applications committee. After provisional acceptance into the prosthodontics program applications for admission to the graduate program should be made online.